Apparatus configured to act as both an edger and a sod cutter

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a combination apparatus and methods of using the combination apparatus. The combination apparatus is operable as both an edger and a sod cutter. The combination apparatus includes an arm that oscillates when driven by a motor. Both a sod cutter blade and an edger blade are coupled to the arm.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/131,734, filed on Apr. 18, 2016, and entitled “APPARATUS CONFIGUREDTO ACT AS BOTH AN EDGER AND A SOD CUTTER”, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/152,019, filed on Apr. 23, 2015,and entitled “APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO ACT AS BOTH AN EDGER AND A SODCUTTER”. The entireties of these applications are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

Landscapers conventionally utilize numerous pieces of equipment toperform respective tasks. For example, an edger is an apparatus that isconfigured to form edges in the earth (angularly offset from the groundplane) as the edger is moved over the earth. These edges are typicallyused to define flower and mulch beds. A sod cutter is an apparatus thatis configured to lift sod from the ground (without damaging the sod)such that the sod can be later replaced or placed elsewhere. These twoapparatuses each require maintenance and can be somewhat expensive topurchase.

SUMMARY

The following is a brief summary of subject matter that is described ingreater detail herein. This summary is not intended to be limiting as tothe scope of the claims.

Described herein is a combination apparatus that is configured to act asboth a sod cutter and an edger. In an example, the combination apparatuscan be a sod cutter that is retrofit with an attachment, where theattachment is configured to allow the sod cutter to alternatively beused as an edger. In another example, the combination apparatus can beinitially designed as a sod cutter and edger combination apparatus.

In an exemplary embodiment, the combination apparatus comprises an armthat has a first side and a second side. The combination apparatusfurther comprises a first blade that extends approximately orthogonallyfrom the first side of the arm, and approximately parallel to the groundplane of the earth. For example, the first blade can be attached to thearm by a suitable mechanism, such as a rivet, a threaded bolt andfastener, a weld, a clamp, etc. In another example, the arm and thefirst blade can be unitary.

The combination apparatus optionally includes an attachment that is(removably) attachable to the arm on the second side of the arm. Theattachment can be attached to the arm in any suitable manner, includingthreaded bolt and fastener, clamp, bracket, etc. In another example, theattachment can be permanently coupled to the second side of the arm. Asecond blade is removably attachable to the attachment, and is furtherpositionable when attached to the attachment, such that the second bladeis slideable along a length of the attachment. A tightening mechanism isconfigured to secure the second blade in place relative to theattachment when desired by an operator of the combination apparatus.

The combination apparatus further comprises an engine that ismechanically linkable to the arm, and is therefore mechanically linkableto the first blade and the second blade. The combination apparatus alsocomprises a linking mechanism that is configured to mechanically linkthe engine to the arm and de-link the engine from the arm as desired bythe operator.

In operation, when the combination apparatus is used by the operator asa sod cutter, the second blade is either removed from the attachment orpositioned in the attachment at a sod cutting position (e.g., so thatthe second blade does not impact the ground when the combinationapparatus is used as a sod cutter). The operator starts the engine andpositions the combination apparatus relative to sod that is to be liftedfrom the earth. The operator then lowers the first blade and operatesthe linking mechanism to cause the engine to be mechanically linked tothe arm (and optionally an axle that drives a wheel of the combinationapparatus). The engine then drives the arm, causing the arm tooscillate, and thereby causing the first blade to oscillate as thecombination apparatus is moved, resulting in sod being cut and liftedfrom the earth.

When the combination apparatus is used by the operator as an edger, thesecond blade is attached to the attachment, and positioned in theattachment at an edging position. That is, the second blade ispositioned in the attachment and tightened therein such that the secondblade is in a fixed position that is proximate the ground, with a bladeedge of the second blade being positioned relative to the ground (e.g.,slightly offset from orthogonal to the ground) so that when the bladeimpacts the ground an edge is formed. The operator ensures that thefirst blade is in a lifted position, starts the engine, and positionsthe combination apparatus relative to ground that is to be edged. Theoperator then utilizes the linking mechanism to cause the engine to bemechanically linked to the arm (and optionally the axle of thecombination apparatus). The engine drives the arm, causing the arm tooscillate, and thereby causing the second blade to oscillate, resultingin ground being edged as the combination apparatus is moved forward.Since the first blade is lifted, no sod is cut.

It is to be understood that the attachment is optional. In otherembodiments, the function of the attachment can be integrated directlyinto the arm, such that the attachment is unnecessary. The attachment isparticularly well-suited for retrofitting a sod cutter, such that thesod cutter can be transformed into a combination apparatus.

The above summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide abasic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methodsdiscussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of thesystems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/ormethods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplifiedform as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presentedlater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a portion of an exemplary combinationapparatus.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an exemplary attachment.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an exemplary blade.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary methodology forforming a combination sod cutter/edger apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary methodology forforming a combination sod cutter/edger apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various technologies pertaining to a combination apparatus are nowdescribed with reference to the drawings, wherein like referencenumerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the followingdescription, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details areset forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or moreaspects. It may be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may bepracticed without these specific details.

Moreover, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom the context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean anyof the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase “X employs Aor B” is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; Xemploys B; or X employs both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and“an” as used in this application and the appended claims shouldgenerally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwiseor clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.

Further, as used herein, the term “exemplary” is intended to meanserving as an illustration or example of something, and is not intendedto indicate a preference.

With reference to FIG. 1, an isometric view of an exemplary combinationapparatus 100 is illustrated, where the combination apparatus 100 canact as both a sod cutter and an edger. The combination apparatus 100comprises an arm 102 formed of a suitable metal (such as steel) or hardplastic. The arm 102 has a first side and a second side that opposes thefirst side, with the second side being the exterior side of the arm 102.The combination apparatus 100 also comprises a first blade 104 that iscoupled to the arm 102, extending from the first side of the arm 102,where the first blade 104 is a sod-cutting blade. The first blade 104can be attached to the arm 102 by way of any suitable mechanism, such asthreaded bolt and fastener, rivets, weld, etc. In another example, thearm 104 and the first blade 102 can be a unitary structure.

The combination apparatus 100 optionally comprises an attachment 106that is removably attachable to the arm 102, extending from the secondside of the arm 102. When attached to the arm 102, the attachment 106remains in a fixed position relative to the arm 102. The attachment 106can be attached to the arm 102 by way of any suitable attachmentmechanism, including threaded bolt and correspondingly threadedfastener, clamps, welds, rivets, brackets, or the like. In an example,the attachment 106 can be formed of a relatively hard metal, such assteel. In another example, the attachment 106 can be formed of a hardplastic, and can be formed by way of, for example, injection molding.

The combination apparatus 100 also includes a second blade 108 that isremovably attachable to the attachment 106. As shown in FIG. 1, thecombination apparatus 100 can include a blade support 110 that issecured to the second blade 108, where the second blade 108 is angularlyoffset from the blade support 110. For example, an angle a between thesecond blade 108 and the blade support 110 can be between 135 degreesand 180 degrees. In FIG. 1, the second blade 108 is shown as beingsecured to the blade support 110 by a pair of threaded bolts andcorrespondingly threaded fasteners 111, although other securingmechanisms can be used. Further, the second blade 108 and the bladesupport 110 can be manufactured as a unitary structure.

The blade support 110 includes an elongated aperture 112 that extendslaterally along a length of the blade support 110. As will be describedfurther below, the blade support 110 can be movably slid relative to theattachment 106. With more particularity, the combination apparatus 100also includes a lever-bolt apparatus 114. A threaded bolt of thelever-bolt apparatus 114 is positioned to extend through the elongatedaperture 112 of the blade support 110, and is secured to the attachment106 by mating the threaded bolt with a correspondingly threaded aperturein the attachment 106 (not shown) or a threaded nut. When the threadedbolt of the lever-bolt apparatus 114 is mated with the correspondinglythreaded aperture of the attachment 106 (or threaded nut) such that theblade support 110 is loosely secured to the attachment 106, the bladesupport 110 can slide laterally in a channel of the attachment 106. Thelever of the lever-bolt apparatus 114 is rotatable, where clockwiserotation of the lever of the lever-bolt apparatus 114 causes the bladesupport 110 to become increasingly tightly secured to the attachment106.

While not shown, the combination apparatus 100 also includes a motorthat is configured to drive the arm 102, and a linking mechanism thatmechanically links the motor with the arm when the operator of thecombination apparatus 100 wishes to perform a sod cutting operation oran edging operation.

An exemplary operation of the combination apparatus 100 is now setforth. First, operation of the combination apparatus 100 as a sod cutteris described. If the second blade 108 is secured to the attachment 106(e.g., through utilization of the blade support 110), the operator canperform one of two acts: 1) the operator can position the second blade108 relative to the attachment 106 such that the second blade 108 willnot impact the ground when the combination apparatus 100 is operated asthe sod cutter. This can be accomplished by rotating the lever-boltapparatus 114 counter-clockwise, thereby loosely securing the bladesupport 110 to the attachment 106. Thereafter, the blade support 110 canbe slid laterally (e.g., leftward in FIG. 1) in the channel of theattachment 106, as shown in FIG. 1. Subsequently, the lever-boltapparatus 114 can be rotated clockwise, such that the blade support 110is tightly secured to the attachment 106 in the desired position; 2) theoperator can detach the second blade 108 and the blade support 110 fromthe attachment 106. This can be accomplished by rotating the lever-boltapparatus 114 counter-clockwise until the threaded bolt of thelever-bolt apparatus 114 is no longer mated with the threaded apertureof the attachment 106 (or the threaded nut). The blade support 110 andthe second blade 108 can then be detached from the attachment 106.

Once the second blade 108 is positioned in a sod cutting position ordetached from the attachment 106, the combination apparatus 100 isusable as the sod cutter. With more particularity, the operator canensure that the arm 102 is positioned in an “up” or “rest” position,such that the first blade 104 is positioned above the ground, as shownin FIG. 1. Thereafter, the operator can position the combinationapparatus 100 at an appropriate position relative to sod that is to bedisplaced by the combination apparatus 100. The operator can then lowerthe arm 102 to an “operating” position, such that the first blade 104 ispositioned close to the ground. The operator subsequently utilizes thelinking mechanism to cause the engine to drive the arm 102, which inturn causes the arm 102 to oscillate (and thereby causes the first blade104 to oscillate). Further, the linking mechanism can link the engine toan axle of the combination apparatus 100, such that as the arm 102oscillates, the combination apparatus moves forward, such that the firstblade 104 oscillates beneath the earth as the combination apparatus 100moves forward, thereby removing the sod from the earth.

Operation of the combination apparatus 100 as an edger is now set forth.If the second blade 108 is not secured to the attachment 106, theoperator initially secures the second blade 108 to the attachment 106 byway of the blade support 110 and the lever-bolt apparatus 114.Specifically, the blade support 110 is positioned in the channel of theattachment 106. The threaded bolt of the lever-bolt apparatus 114 isextended through the elongated aperture 112 of the blade support 110 andmated with the correspondingly threaded aperture of the attachment 106at an “edger” position, such that the blade support 110 is tightlysecured to the attachment 106. Alternatively, the threaded bolt of thelever-bolt apparatus 114 is extended through the elongated aperture 112of the blade support 110 and mated with the threaded nut, such that theblade support 110 is loosely secured to the attachment 106. The bladesupport 110 is positioned in an “edger” position relative to theattachment 106 by sliding the blade support 110 rightward in the channelof the attachment 106. Once the blade support 110 (and the second blade108) is placed in the “edger” position, the lever-bolt apparatus 114 isrotated clockwise, causing the threaded bolt of the lever-bolt apparatus114 to further mate with the threaded nut, and thus tightly securing theblade support 110 to the attachment 106.

The operator then ensures that the arm 102 of the combination apparatus100 is in an “edger” position, which can be the “up” or “rest” position,or between the “up” or “rest” position and the “operating” position.When the arm 102 is in the “edger” position, the second blade 108 isproximate to or touching the ground, while the first blade 104 ispositioned above the ground. The operator subsequently positions thecombination apparatus 100 at an appropriate position where ground is tobe edged (e.g., where an edge of a mulch bed or flower bed is to bedefined). The operator uses the linking mechanism to mechanically linkthe motor to the arm 102, and to optionally mechanically link the motorto the axle. This causes the arm 102 to oscillate, and thus the secondblade 108 to oscillate in the ground. Hence, the operator can utilizethe combination apparatus 100 as either a sod cutter or an edger, asdesired by the operator.

The combination apparatus 100 exhibits numerous advantages overconventional technologies. Specifically, the operator needs to purchasea single machine (the combination apparatus 100) to perform both sodcutting and edging, rather than two separate machines. Further, manylandscape jobs include sod cutting and edging tasks. When the operatoris to perform such a landscaping job, the operator needs to transportonly the combination apparatus 100 to perform sod cutting and edging,rather than two separate, bulky machines. Still further, the combinationapparatus 100, when operated as an edger, is an improved edger overconventional edgers. This is because a motor utilized for sod cuttingtends to be more powerful than conventional edger motors, allowing foredging to be performed when the ground is hard or rocky. Further, thecombination apparatus 100, since it is operable as an edger, is somewhatheavier than conventional edgers, thus allowing the combinationapparatus 100 to form a more even edge compared to conventional edgers.With more detail, the weight of the combination apparatus 100 mayinhibit the combination apparatus 100 from bouncing when forming an edgeor otherwise being moved off-course.

As noted above, while the combination apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1includes the attachment 106 as a retrofit mechanism that can be appliedto an existing sod cutter, it is to be understood that the arm 102 canbe initially designed to directly accept the second blade 108. Further,safety features can be added, such as a hood or a metal stop to preventthe second blade 108 from travelling backwards and injuring theoperator.

With reference now to FIG. 2, an isometric view of the exemplaryattachment 106 is illustrated. The attachment 106 can be formed of ametal, such as steel, or a hard plastic. The attachment 106 includes apair of apertures 202 and 204 that, for example, extend through anentirety of a width of the attachment 106. The attachment 106 can besecured to the arm 102 by placing the attachment 102 adjacent to anexternal side of the arm 102, and placing a corresponding u-shapedbracket on an interior side of the arm 102, where each side of theu-shaped bracket has a respective pair of apertures that correspond tothe pair of apertures 202 and 204 of the attachment 106, as can beascertained in FIG. 1. A pair of bolts can extend through the aperturesin the sides of the u-shaped bracket, and can additionally extendthrough the pair of apertures 202 and 204. The bolts can have threadedends, and corresponding threaded nuts can be employed to tightly securethe u-shaped bracket to the attachment 106, and thereby tightly securethe attachment 106 to the arm 102.

As mentioned previously, the attachment 106 can include a channel 206,where the blade support 110 is slideable in the channel 206. The channel206 can be formed by attaching (e.g., welding or otherwise forming) apair of posts 208 and 210 on front face of the attachment 106. In analternative embodiment, the channel 206 can be a recessed channel,wherein the channel 206 is formed by creating a recess in the front faceof the attachment 106.

The attachment 106 further includes an aperture 212 that extends throughthe front face of the attachment 106. The aperture 212 is configured toreceive the bolt of the lever-bolt apparatus 114. In this example, theattachment 106 is hollow, such that a threaded nut can be used inconnection with securing the blade support 110 to the attachment 106.Other mechanisms for securing the blade support 110 to the attachment106 are also contemplated, including a clamp or clamps.

Now turning to FIG. 3, an isometric view of the second blade 108 and theblade support 110 is illustrated. This illustrates that the second blade108 includes a bend, where an angle of the bend can be between 100degrees and 130 degrees. Further, as noted above, the second blade 108and the blade support 110, while shown as being separate structuressecured together, may be formed as a unitary structure.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate exemplary methodologies relating to acombination apparatus as described herein. While the methodologies areshown and described as being a series of acts that are performed in asequence, it is to be understood and appreciated that the methodologiesare not limited by the order of the sequence. For example, some acts canoccur in a different order than what is described herein. In addition,an act can occur concurrently with another act. Further, in someinstances, not all acts may be required to implement a methodologydescribed herein.

Referring solely to FIG. 4, an exemplary methodology 400 thatfacilitates retrofitting a sod cutter such that the sod cutter canoperate as a combination apparatus (which can perform both sod cuttingand edging operations) is described. The methodology 400 starts at 402,and at 404 an attachment is provided, where the attachment is removablyattachable to an arm of a sod cutter, and where the arm is coupled to asod cutting blade of the sod cutter. At 406, a blade support isprovided, where the blade support is removably attachable to theattachment, and where further the blade support is positionable relativeto the attachment. In an exemplary embodiment, an edging blade isremovably attachable to the blade support. In another exemplaryembodiment, the blade support and the edging blade can be formed as aunitary structure. At 408, a lever-bolt mechanism is provided, where thelever-bolt mechanism is configured to allow for the blade support to befixed to the attachment, and is further configured to allow for theblade support to be appropriately positioned relative to the attachment.The methodology 400 completes at 410.

Now referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary methodology 500 that facilitatesconfiguring an arm of a combination apparatus that is operable as both asod cutter and an edger. The methodology 500 starts at 502, and at 504the arm of the combination apparatus is provided. At 506, a sod cutterblade is attached to the arm, and at 508 an edger blade is removablyattached to the arm. Further, the edger blade can moveably positionedrelative to the arm, such that the edger blade can be fixed to the armin different operating positions (e.g., where a first positioncorresponds to operation of the combination apparatus as a sod cutter,and a second position corresponds to operation of the combinationapparatus as an edger). The methodology 500 completes at 508.

What has been described above includes examples of one or moreembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable modification and alteration of the above devices ormethodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned aspects, butone of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many furthermodifications and permutations of various aspects are possible.Accordingly, the described aspects are intended to embrace all suchalterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spiritand scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that theterm “includes” is used in either the details description or the claims,such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term“comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as atransitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination apparatus that is operable as bothan edger and sod cutter, the combination apparatus comprising: an armmechanically linked to a motor, the arm having a first side and a secondside that opposes the first side, the arm positionable in a firstposition and a second position; a sod cutter blade that is coupled tothe arm and extends orthogonally from the first side of the arm; and anedger blade that is removably attachable to the arm on the second sideof the arm, wherein when the arm is positioned in the first position thecombination apparatus is operable as a sod cutter, and when the arm ispositioned in the second position the combination apparatus is operableas an edger.
 2. The combination apparatus of claim 1, further comprisingan attachment apparatus that is removably attachable to the arm on thesecond side of the arm, the edger blade removably attachable to theattachment apparatus.
 3. The combination apparatus of claim 2, theattachment apparatus formed of steel.
 4. The combination apparatus ofclaim 2, the attachment apparatus formed of plastic.
 5. The combinationapparatus of claim 2, wherein the attachment apparatus comprises achannel that is parallel to the second side of the arm, the combinationapparatus further comprises a blade support, the edger blade removablyattachable to the blade support, the blade support formed to beslideable in the channel of the attachment apparatus such that the edgerblade is moveably positionable relative to the arm.
 6. The combinationapparatus of claim 5, wherein the attachment apparatus comprises twoposts on a face of the attachment apparatus that are parallel to oneanother, the two posts form the channel.
 7. The combination apparatus ofclaim 5, the channel being a recess in the face of the attachmentapparatus.
 8. The combination apparatus of claim 5, the attachmentapparatus composed of plastic.
 9. The combination apparatus of claim 5,the attachment apparatus being a rectangular plate, the attachmentapparatus comprises an elongated aperature along a length of therectangular plate.
 10. The combination apparatus of claim 9, furthercomprising a lever-bolt apparatus that is configured to secure theattachment apparatus to the attachment.
 11. The combination apparatus ofclaim 2, further comprising a u-bracket, where an interior face of theu-bracket is adjacent to the first side of the arm, wherein theu-bracket is configured to securely fix the attachment apparatus to thearm.
 12. The combination apparatus of claim 11, wherein the u-bracketcomprises an aperture and the attachment apparatus comprises anaperture, wherein the aperture of the u-bracket and the aperture of theattachment apparatus are aligned when the attachment apparatus issecurely fixed to the arm, and wherein a threaded bolt extends throughthe aperture of the u-bracket and the aperture of the attachmentapparatus to mechanically fix the u-bracket to the attachment apparatusand thereby securely fix the attachment apparatus to the arm.
 13. Thecombination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the edger blade is angularlyoffset from the arm.
 14. A combination apparatus that is operable asboth a sod cutter and an edger, the combination apparatus comprises:means for positioning an arm of the combination apparatus in one of afirst position or a second position, wherein the combination apparatusis operable as a sod cutter when the arm is positioned in the firstposition, and wherein the combination apparatus is operable as an edgerwhen the arm is positioned in the second position; a sod cutter bladeattached to the arm and extending orthogonally from the arm; and anedger blade that is removably attachable to the arm, the arm positionedbetween the sod cutter blade and the edger blade.
 15. The combinationapparatus of claim 14, further comprising attachment means for removablyattaching the edger blade to the arm.
 16. The combination apparatus ofclaim 15, the attachment means formed of steal.
 17. The combinationapparatus of claim 15, the attachment means formed of plastic.
 18. Thecombination apparatus of claim 15, further comprising securing means forsecuring the edger blade to the attachment means.
 19. A combinationapparatus that is operable as both a sod cutter and an edger, thecombination apparatus comprises: a motor; an arm mechanically linked tothe motor that oscillates when driven by the motor; a sod cutter bladeattached to a first side of the arm that extends orthogonally from thefirst side of the arm; and an edger blade that is removably attached toa second side of the arm that opposes the first side of the arm, theedger blade further being positionable relative to the arm.
 20. Thecombination apparatus of claim 19, further comprising an attachmentapparatus, the attachment apparatus removably attached to the arm, theedger blade removably attached to the arm by way of the attachmentapparatus, wherein the attachment apparatus acts to displace the edgerblade from the arm.